Margaret Simon has seen the European fundraising culture evolve during her more than 25 years’ experience working with major cultural and educational institutions. Since joining GG+A in 2005, Margaret has worked with a number of the leading research universities in the United Kingdom.

Before joining the firm, she was director of the development office at the University of Birmingham. There, she oversaw the University’s fundraising efforts, which amounted to more than £7 million in her three-year tenure. She was also instrumental in establishing an annual fund and programmes in major gifts, legacies, stewardship and alumni relations.

Earlier, Margaret served as head of development and alumni at St Catherine’s College, Oxford for six years. During this time, she raised more than £3 million in major gifts as well as nearly £500,000 in annual fund gifts from an alumni base of 7,000. Margaret also was responsible for running a comprehensive alumni programme and a legacy campaign. She has worked also for Keble College and St Hugh’s College, both part of the University of Oxford.

Before moving into higher education fundraising, Margaret spent nearly 15 years working in the arts sector, including roles at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, Oxford Playhouse Company and the UK Arts Council. In her position as regional marketing officer for the UK Arts Council, she promoted visits from national opera, ballet, dance and theatre companies in the south Midlands area, as well as worked to increase and diversify the audience for the arts among all sections of the community.

Margaret is a graduate of the University of Manchester and holds a degree in politics and modern history.

Selected GG+A client work includes:

– Oxford University and University College London, long-term interim day-to-day management of their development offices and programmes

– Royal Northern College of Music, work to establish its first development and alumni office

– University College London, ongoing advice and mentoring support to the Director of Development

– International Institute of Strategic Studies, engagement to build staffing capacity

– Open University, mentoring support for Acting Director of Development and other staff

– Universities of Bristol, Warwick and Durham, feasibility studies to produce a comprehensive review of future fundraising potential

– Pembroke College, Oxford, ongoing advice and mentoring support to the Development Office